Gas-pressure reducing and regulating mechanism.



J. B. HIRST: GAS PRESSURE REDUCING AND REGULATING MEGHANISM APPLICATION FILED 00T.19, 1909.

Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

THE NdR RIS PETERS co, WASHINGTON, n. c

JESSE B. I-IIRST, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GAS-PRESSURE REDUCING AND REGULATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

Application filed October 19, 1909. Serial No. 523,472.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jnssn B. HIRST, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Pressure Reducing and Regulating Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

Certain gas pressure-reducing and regulating mechanisms, as now constructed, involve the use of auxiliary diaphragms or other means for controlling the main reducing valve, actuated by the low pressure gas, so that when the lower pressure falls below a certain predetermined value, the main valve will be opened and high pressure gas will be allowed to pass from the high pressure to the low pressure main until the lower pressure has been raised to its proper value. Then the main reducing valve is closed by the auxiliary mechanism and the further admission of high pressure gas to the low pressure main is cut ofl. These mechanisms, as now made, are subject to several important defects, among which are, that the accumulation of water or mud in the manholes where they are placed affects the operation of the auxiliary devices by alfecting the pressure acting on the diaphragms, thus throwing them out of adjustment and cansing them to act at other than the desired gas pressures; that the failure of one of these auxiliary diaphragms, either by puncture or bursting, will admit high. pressure gas directly to the low pressure main without control, thus endangering meters, house regulating mechanisms, and even the health of the gas users themselves; and that the main valve for the admission of high pressure gas to the low pressure main is subjected constantly to the opening tendency of a weight, so that the failure of low pressure gas to overcome this opening tendency might also allow excess of pressure to accumulate in the low pressure main.

This invention relates to an improved design and construction of mechanisms for reducing the gas from a higher to a lower pressure and the maintaining of a practically constant pressure in the low pressure main regardless of the rate of consumption of low pressure gas and of the fluctuations of pressure of the high pressure gas. as well as regardless of outside disturbing influences, such as the accumulation of water in the vault or manhole, where the regulating and reducing mechanism is placed; and also the provision of an auxiliary mechanism, the failure of any of whose parts will automatically cut off the supply of high pressure gas to the low pressure main. And the invention consists in the features of construction and combination of parts herein after described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the arrangement of parts in my improved reducing and regulating mechanism; and Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged details of the type of auxiliary and control valves which I use, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 1, gas from a high pressure main 1 passes through ports 2 and 3, when open, into a chamber 4:, and from there into a low pressure main 5. The passage of gas from the main 1 to the main 5 through the ports 2 and 3 is controlled by valves 6 and 7, acting in unison to open or close the above mentioned ports. An auxiliary regulator 8 is operated by the pressure of gas from the low pressure main, acting through a pipe 9 to open or close a valve 10, thus establishing or cutting off communication of chambers 11 and 12 of auxiliary regulators 13 and 14 wit-h the low pressure main 5, through pipes 9, 15, 16 and 17. Springs 18 and 19 of the auxiliary regulators 13 and 14; respectively, are so adjusted that these regulators will act to open or close valves 20 and 21 at the same gas pressure in the chambers 11 and 12, this pressure being equalized at all times through the pipes 16 and 17. The opening of the valves 20 and 21 places a chamber 22 of a main valve-actuating mechanism 23 in communication with the high pressure main 1,

through pipes 24, 17, 16 and 25. A diaphragm 26 of the main valve-actuating mechanism 23 connects with a stem 27, the lower end of which carries the main valves 6 and 7 and the upper end of which passes from the chamber 22 by means of a small diaphragm 28, and is attached to one end of a lever arm 29, which is pivoted to a fulcrum arm 30. A weight 31, acting through the lever arm 29, tends always to close the ports 2 and 3 against the pressure acting down on the diaphragm 26, due to any excess of gas pressure in the chamber 22 over that in the chamber 50 of the main va'lveactuating mechanism 23, and is of such magnitude as to normally overcome the thepipc'24, the valve 21, the pipes 17 and combined weightof' the valves 6 and 7', the stem 27, the diaphragm 2S, and the maximinn water pressure whichmighthave to come upon the diaphragm; 28, due to flooding of the manhole or vault containing the mechanism. The chamber 22 of themain va'lve-actuatlng mechanism- 23 1s connected through a pipe32,,a needle valve 3,3,and@ a connection 34, w1th the low pressure main 5, so that when the high pressure, gas is cut off fromr thischamber by the closing ofthe valves 20 and-'21,, the gas in; it will escape into i themainfi, thus allowing the weight 31 tomaise the, stem, 27 and close the valves 6 and 7 Upper chambers 35,36 and, 37., oi the auxiliary regulators 8, 13 and: 11 1, re,- spectively, communicate with, the: atmosphere through pipes :38, 39 40,41 and 42 at a pointwhere water collecteddnthe vault or manhole cannot. enter them and; thus'afi'ect V their'operation.

The: low pressure chamber 50ofi'the main. valvera'ctuatiing mechanism 23 is connected: with the low pressure main. by thepres? sure-equalizingconnect-ion L8; 7 Thercliam ber 50,1is; separated, from the, chamber 4 by 7 means of a, baffle wall4-,9,.which has in it. a. holebl just large. enough. to, easily pass the stem 27) Thislbafliewall is for the purposev of, preventing the accumulation of, dynamic pressure in the chamber 50 dueto, the rushing'of gas through. the port 2 when It, is pene practice, the operation of the: med a- -nisnr. is-ras. follows: Low pressure gas. com,

municates, from the main 5 through the pipe QitQZthG lower faceofr-a diaphragm-43 of/the, regulator 8. The upward. pressure on the diaphragm 43, caused by the low pressure gas, is resisted by a weight 44c,v and thelvalve 10 is opened or closed byEt-he action of: the-gas pressure? through the; medium, of

V V a lever 15. When thepressure-oi the gassinr 45;

themain 5 falls the valve L0; is-rslightly.

opened and some gas-is allowed; to passfrom thepipe and the mechanisms connected with it, thereby reducing the pressure V acting on thealower. faceofi the diaphragms thiand' t'l of the-auxiliary regulator-s 1-3 and:

145,; respectively. -The gas pressures on the diaphragms 4G, and? 4C7, are resisted by the springs ls'ilnd 19; which springs, as; above stated, are soadjusted: that the diaphragms willnact in; unison, the gaspressures in the auxiliary regulators -13 and 14' being equal-- ized through pipes 116 and 17. Therefore, the reduction of pressure I in the main 5 v will allow the regulator 8 to open the" valve 10,,

thereby reducing the gas; pressure under-the d-iaphragms 46- andi4-7; and; allowing the springs 18-v and 19. oh; these regulators to open the valves 20" and 21. The inst-ant thesevalves-open, some highpressureTgas lgijwillzbe admitted from the ma n, l through 16, and the valve 20, through the pipe 25, to

'the upper face ofthe diaphragm 26 of the main" valve-actuatingunechanism 23. Thereupon,this higher pressure gas,,act1ng on the large upper surface of the diaphragm 26,

will overcome theupward pressure of the low pressure gas actlng on the bot-tom surface of this diaphragm, the small upward gaspressure on the diaphragm 28, the upward force due to thehigh' pressure gas actingg onE the surtaces of the closed valves 6 and: 'Z, and the excess upward force; due to theweight. 31; and the diaphragm 26 Will be forced down, carrying: with it the stem 27 and the valves 6. and 7., thus opening; the ports. 2'- and 3 and allowing; as to pass from the main 1 to the chamber 4 and thence to themain 5;

As soon as thegas pressure in the low pressure main has been raised to its nor.- mal value, the auxiliary regulator 8 willclose the valve 10, whereuponthepressure; in the pipes: 15,116 and: 17 will rise until the pressures on the diaphragins 46 and 47, become suflicient to close the valves 2O andl 21, respectively; These valves wi-ll'then; shut ofi" the supply of high pressure gas to the main valveactuating mechanism. When this has been accomplished, the weight 31: will forceup the stem 27!, carrying; with itthe diaphragm 26, the diaphragm:v 28, and: the valves 6 and-7, thus closing the ports 2 and3. And the gas in the chamber 22;wi-llescape through the pipe, 32, the needle valve 33, and theconnection 34:, into the low pressure main- 5-.

It; is seen that-this improved mechanism overcomes the first of; the above enumerated objections, for the flooding oi, the main valve-actuating mechanism 23 by the accumulation 0t water or mud in the manhole or vault where itis placed willi merely; serve to'throw a downward pressure upon the small. diaphragm 28; but; we have above statedthatthe weight 31, isof a magnitude sufficient to overcome the maximuinwater pressure'which might ever come upon the diaphragm 28- through flooding, so that flooding: cannot actuate the mechanism 23, and. thus abnormally raise the gas pressure in the main 5. Also the chambers- 35;, 30 andi37iof the auxiliary regnlators 8, 13' and 14- are, as above stated, suitably connected through pipes to the atmosphereat a point where they cannot be flooded by the accumulation of water inthe manhole. Therefore, their action can in no wise be affected'by such flooding. i klso the failure of'the regulators 8, 13 and 14: to operate will merely prevent the admission oh high pressure gas into the chamber 22 Oh the main valve-actuating mechanism, so-that' the weight 31' willmaintain' the valves 6' and 7 in the closedpositiom thus merely allowing the pressure in the main 5 to tallbelow its normal value, and in no wise endangering the apparatus connected with it.

Those familiar with the present state of the art of regulating gas pressure will appreciate the fact that the devices used in this improved system can be made of simple and durable construction, and that the increased safety above mentioned, attainable through the use of it, will in itself constltute a large advance in the art.

I claim:

1. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, the combination, with auxlhary regulators, of a mam valve-actuat ng mechanism comprising a shell, a relatively large diaphragm dividing said shell, a relatively small diaphragm placed in one slde of sanl shell and symmetrically with respectto sald larger diaphragm, a needle valve connection connecting the space between said d1aphragms with the low pressure main, a stem suitably attached to said larger and smaller diaphragms and carrying main valves adapted to open and close the ports for the passage of gas from the high pressure to the low pressure main, said smaller diaphragm suitably attached to a weight acting upon the smaller diaphragm and stem normally to keep the main valves in the closed position, substantially as described.

2. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, the combination, with auxiliary regulators, of a main valve-actuating mechanism comprising a shell, a relatively large diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a relatively small diaphragm placed in the upper side of said shell symmetrically with respect to said larger diaphragm, a connection from said auxiliary regulators for the admission of high pressure gas to the space between said larger and smaller diaphragms, a needle valve connection con-- necting the space between said diaphragms with the low pressure main, a stem suitably attached to said larger and smaller diaphragms and carrying main valves adapted to open and close the ports for controlling the passage of gas from the high pressure to the low pressure main, said smaller diaphragm suitably attached to a weight acting upon the smaller diaphragm and stem normally to keep the main valves in the closed position, substantially as described.

3. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, a main valve-actuating mechanism, comprising a shell, a relatively large diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a relatively small diaphragm placed in one side of said shell symmetrically with respect to said larger diaphragm, said larger diaphragm attached to a stem, said stem carrying the main valvesfor opening and closi ng the ports between the high pressure and low pressure mains, said stem connected to said smaller diaphragm, said smaller diaphragm connected through a lever mechanism with a weight, said weight exerting a force on said lever mechanism and stem in a direction tending normally to maintain the main valves in the closed position, the high pressure chamber of said main valveactuating mechanism communicating throughn needle valve with the low pressure mam, 1n combination with an auxiliary regulating mechanism actuated by the pressure of the gas in the low pressure main, for controlling the admission of high pressure gas to the space between said larger and smaller dia phragms of the main valve-actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

4. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, a main valve-actuating mechanism adapted to be operated by high pressure gas admitted thereto under the control of an auxiliary regulating mechanism, composed of a control auxiliary regulator comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a weight tending normally to depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due to the pressure of low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm, said auxiliary control valve connecting the pressure chambers of a main auxiliary regulator and a sec ondary auxiliary regulator with the low pressure main, the diaphragms of said main auxiliary regulator and said secondary auxiliary regulator acting at equal gas pressures to operate a main control valve and a secondary control valve, said secondary control valve, when open, placing the pressure chambers of the secondary auxiliary regulator and the main auxiliary regulator in communication with the high pressure main, and said main control valve, when open, admitting high pressure gas to operate the main valve-actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

5. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, a main valve-actuating mechanism adapted to be operated by high pres sure gas under the control. of an auxiliary regulating mechanism, said auxiliary regulating mechanism composed of a control auxiliary regulator, comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a weight tending normally to depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due to the pressure-of low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm, said auxiliary control valve. when open, placing the pressure chambers of a main auxiliary regulator and a secoi'idary auxiliary regulator in communication with the low pressure main, the diaphragms of said main auxiliary regulator and said sec ondary auxiliary regulator acting at equal gas pressures against the force of springs to close a main control valve and a secondary controlfvalve respectively, said secondary control valve, when open, placing the pressure chambers ofthelmain auxiliary regulatorand the secondary aux hary regulator in communication with the high pressure main, and said main control valve, when open, admitting high pressure gas to operate the main valve-actuatingmechanism,

substantially as described.

f6. In a'gas pressure-reducing and regu-' lating system, a control auxiliary regulator,

comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing the 'innerspace or! said shell, a Weight tending normally 'to' depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due to thepressure of low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm,

said auxiliary controlvalve connecting the pressure chambers of a main auxiliary regulator and a secondary; auxiliary regulator with the low pressure main, the diaphragms of saidmain auxiliary and saidsecondaryv auxiliary regulators acting at equal gas pressures against the force of springs to operate a main control valve and a secondary .control. valve, said secondary control valve, when open, placing the pressure ing mechanism, substantially as described;

7. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, a control auxiliary regulator, comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividmg the inner space ofsaid shell, a weight tending normally to depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due to the pressure of low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm,

' said auxiliar control valve connectin the pressure chambers of a main auxiliary regulator and a secondary auxiliary regulator wlth the low pressure mam, the diaphragms of said main auxlliary and sald secondary vauxiliar regulators actin at e ual as pressures against the force of springs to op-.

erate a main control valve and a secondary v control valve, said secondary control valve,

when open, placing V the pressure chambers of the secondary aux1liary regulator and the main auxiliary regulator 111 Communication with the high pressure main, and said main control valve, vwhen open, admitting-high pressure gas 'to i a: main valve actuating 'mechanism, comprising ashell, a relatively large diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a relatively small diaphragm in one side of said shell, a stem attached to said larger and smaller diaphragms and carrying. main valves adapted to openand close'ports for regulating the flow of gas from the high pressure to the low pressure main, said smaller diaphragm connected by means of a lever mechanism with a weight, the tendencyof said, weight acting upon said stem being 'tokeep the main valves normally in the; closed position, substantially as described.

8; In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, a control auxiliary regulator, comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing the inne" space of "said'shell, a weight tending normally to depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due tothe pressureof low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm, said auxiliary control valve connecting the pressure chambersof a main auxiliary regulator and a secondary auxiliary regulator with the low pressuremain, the diaphra ms of said main auxiliary and said secon ary auxiliary regulators acting at equal gas pressures against the force of springs to operate amain cont-rolvalve and a secondary control valve, said secondary control valve, when open, placing the pressure chambers of the secondary auxiliary regulator and the main auxiliary regulator in communication with the high pressure main, and said main control valve, when open,

admitting high pressure gas to a main valve-actuating mechanism, comprising a shell, a relatively large diaphragm dividing theinner space of said shell, a relatively small diaphragm in'one side ofsaid shell placed symmetrically with respect to said larger diaphragm, a needle valve connection connecting the space between said diaphragms with the low pressure main, a stem suitably attached to said smaller and arger diaphragms and carrying main valves adapted to open and close the ports for the passage of gas from the high pressure to the low pressure main, said smaller diaphragm connected by means of a lever mechanism with a weight acting normally to keep the main valves in the closed position, substantially as described.

9. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, a control auxiliary re ulator, comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing the inner space of'said shell, a weight tending normally to depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due to the pressure of low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm, said auxiliary control valve connecting the pressure chambers of a main auxiliary regulator anda secondary auxiliary regulator with the low pressure main, the diaphragms of said main auxiliary and said secondary auxiliary regulators acting at equal gas pressures against the force of springs to operate a main control valve and a secondary control valve, said secondary control valve, when open, placing the pressure chambers of the secondary auxiliary regulator and the main auxiliary regulator in communication with the high pressure main, and said main control valve, when open, admitting high pressure gas to a main valve-actuating mechanism comprising a shell, a relatively large diaphragm di viding the inner space of said shell, a relatively small diaphragm placed in one side of said shell symmetrically with said larger and smaller diaphragms, said larger diaphragm attached to a stem, said stem carrying the main valves for opening and closing the ports between the high pressure and the low pressure mains said smaller diaphragm and stem connected by means of a lever mechanism with a weight, said weight tending normally to maintain the main valves in the closed position, the space between said larger and smaller diaphragms communicating through a needle valve with the low pressure main, substantially as described.

10. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, a main valve-actuating mechanism adapted to be operated by high pressure gas admitted thereto by means of an auxiliary regulating mechanism, composed of a control auxiliary regulator comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a weight tending normally to depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due to the pressure of low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm, said auxiliary control valve connecting the pressure chambers of a main auxiliary regulator and a secondary auxiliary regulator with the low pressure main, the diaphragms of said main auxiliary regulator and said secondary auxiliary regulator acting at equal gas pressures to operate a main control valve and a secondary control valve, said secondary control valve, when open, Jlacing the pressure chambers of the secondary auxiliary regulator and the main auxiliary regulator in communication with the high pressure main, and said main control valve, when open, admitting high pressure gas to operate the main valve-actuating mechanism, the chambers on the low pressure sides of the diaphragms of said control auxiliary, main auxiliary, and secondary auxiliary regulators, being connected to atmosphere at a suitable point, substantially as described.

11. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, a control auxiliary regulator, comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a weight tending normally to depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due to the pressure of low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm, said auxiliary control valve connecting the pressure chambers of a main auxiliary regulater and a secondary auxiliary regulator with the low pressure main, the diaphragms of said main auxiliary and said secondary auxiliary regulators acting at equal gas pressure against the force of springs to operate a main control valve and a secondary control valve, said secondary control valve, when open, placing the pressure chambers of the secondary auxiliary regulator and the main auxiliary regulator in communication with the high pressure main, and said main control valve, when open, admitting high pressure gas to the pressure chamber of a main valve-actuating mechanism, the chambers 011 the low pressure sides of the diaphragms of said control auxiliary, main auxiliary, and secondary auxiliary regulators, being connected to atmosphere at a suitable point, substantially as described.

12. In a gas pressin'e-reducing and regulating system, a control auxiliary regulator, comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a weight tending normally to depress said diaphragm against a pressure thereon due to the pressure of low pressure gas, and an auxiliary control valve connected to said diaphragm, said auxiliary valve connecting the pressure chambers of a main auxiliary regulator and a secondary auxiliary regulator with the low pressure main, the diaphragms of said main auxiliary and said secondary auxiliary regulators acting at equal gas pressures against the force of springs to operate a main control valve and a secondary control valve, said secondary control valve, when open, placing the pressure chambers of the secondary auxiliary regulator and the main auxiliary regulator in communication with the high pressure main, and said main control valve, when open, admitting high pres sure gas to a main valve-actuating mecha nism, the chambers on the low pressure sides of the diaphragms of said control auxiliary, main auxiliary. and secondary auxiliary regulators, being in communication with atmosphere at a suitable point, said main valve-actuating mechanism comprising a shell, a relatively large diaphragm dividing the inner space of said shell, a relatively small diaphragm placed in one side of said shell symmetrically with said larger diaphragm. said larger and smaller diaphragms attached to a stem, said stem-carrying the main valves for opening and closing the ports between the high pressure and the low pressure mains, said smaller diaphragm and stem connected by means of a lever mecha nism with a weight, said weight tending normally to maintain the main valves in closed position, the space between said larger and smaller diaphragms communicating through a needle valve with the low pressure main, substantially as described.

13. In a gas pressure-reducing and regulating system, the combination, with auxiliary regulators adapted to be operated by changes of pressure of the gas in the low uza.

pressure main from its normal value, of amain' v alve actuating mechanism having within it a relatively large ,diaphragm adapted to be operated by high pressure gas admitted against said diaphragm by the auxiliary, regulators, a stem attached to said larger diaphragm, main' valves attached to said stem and arranged to open and close ports for the passage'of gas from the high pressureto the low pressure main, a rela-' tively small diaphragm placed in one side of said shell symmetrically With respect to said larger diaphragm, said stem attached to said smaller" diaphragm, said smaller diaphragm and'stem attached to a Weight adapted to exert force on said stem in a direction constantly tending to maintaln said main valves in closedposition, a bafiie wall for the sepac ration of the low pressure chamber of said main valve-actuating mechanism from the low/pressure main, and a connection between said low pressure chamber and the low pressure main, substantially as described.

14. In a gas pressure-reducing and regu-- lating system,a control auxiliary regulator,

comprising a shell, a diaphragm dividing auxiliary regulators acting at equal gas pres-- sures against the force of springs to operate 'amain control valve and a secondary control valve, said secondary control valve, when open, placing the pressure chambers of the secondary auxiliary regulator and the main auxiliary regulator in communication with vthe highpressure main, and said main control valve, when open, admitting high pressure. gas to a main valve-actuating mechanism, thechambers on the low pressure sides of-ct'he diaphragms ofsaid control auxiliary, main auxiliary, and secondary auxiliary regnlators'being in communication with the atmosphere'at a suitable point, said main valve-actuating mechanism comprising a shell, a relatively large diaphragm dividing the inner spaceof said shell, a relatively small diaphragm placed in one side of said shell symmetrically with said larger diaphragm, said larger and smaller diaphragms attached to a stem, said stem carrying the main valves for opening and closing the ports between the high pressure and the lowpressnreunains, said smaller diaphragi'i'r'snitably attached by means of a lever mechanism with a weight, said weight tending normally 'to maintain the main valves in closed position, the space between said larger and smaller diaphragms communicating through a needle valve with the lowpressure main, the low pressure chamber of said main valve-actuating mechanism beby means ofa bafile Wall, and a connection between the low' pressure chamber and the low pressure main, substantially as de- "Tyros. A. BANNING, Jr.

Copies of this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. C.

ing separated from the low pressure main 

